KATSEYE warns – With Manon still absent from KATSEYE’s rollout since HYBE announced her hiatus in February, spokesperson Sophia urged fans to stop guessing. Speaking in an Allure cover story published Thursday, June 25, she said it’s “not our place” to rush Manon or set timel
For more than four months, EYEKONS have been staring at the same blank space: Manon’s name missing from KATSEYE’s latest plans. And in a Thursday cover story that landed on June 25, the group didn’t try to fill it with updates.
Instead, KATSEYE—now speaking through spokesperson Sophia—told fans to stop making assumptions.
In the cover story, Sophia fielded questions about their missing bandmate. KATSEYE’s lineup in the piece included Sophia along with Megan, Lara, Yoonchae, and Daniela. The message was direct: because HYBE said Manon was stepping away to focus on her health. the group said it would not rush her—or rush the public timeline around her.
“Because we did announce that it is about her well-being. it’s not our place or anybody else’s place to rush her. ” Sophia said. “We want to give her all the time that she needs. all the space that she needs. and so we don’t want to make any assumptions. set anything in stone … She really deserves that. and the door is always open.”.
She also acknowledged why the questions won’t stop. After four months without Manon, many EYEKONS have speculated online that she may never rejoin KATSEYE.
“The people love her,” Sophia said. “They love KATSEYE. If I was in their place, I would be asking, too, and so we understand. But what we can say is that we wish that you could just keep extending love and support and patience and all those things, because all of us deserve that. Anybody does.”
The timing adds weight to the appeal. KATSEYE formed through HYBE’s “Dream Academy” series, which Netflix captured in its Pop Star Academy documentary. The group debuted in 2024, and it is now gearing up to release its Wild EP. The EP is led by Billboard Hot 100 No. 28 single “Pinky Up.” But Manon has not been part of the project’s rollout since the leave of absence began in February.
HYBE first broke the news in February that Manon was stepping away from KATSEYE to “focus on her health.” In the statement at the time. HYBE said it had “open and thoughtful conversations” with Manon and the group and wrote: “After open and thoughtful conversations together. we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and well-being. We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time. and we look forward to being together again when the time is right.”.
For now, KATSEYE’s position is consistent: the door stays open, but the timeline stays theirs—at least for as long as Manon needs space.
An even larger request sits underneath Sophia’s words: love, patience, and support—without rushing the person who asked for time to focus on her health.
KATSEYE Manon EYEKONS Sophia hiatus Wild EP Pinky Up HYBE Dream Academy Pop Star Academy